Backed by Cultivation Capital, Cardialen enters human clinical trials

Cardialen, a medical device company based out of St. Louis, began its first human clinical trials for its hearty therapy device last month.

Cardialen has developed an irregular heartbeat treatment that is designed to keep the heart in a normal rhythm in the long term, slowing the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF), a common type of cardiac arrhythmia.

The company has raised more than $7 million to date, including a $2.5 million Series A financing, which included $500,000 from St. Louis-based Cultivation Capital in January.

“Human clinical research marks an exciting milestone for Cardialen,” said Paula Skjefte, executive chair and CEO of Cardialen. “Current therapies for AF leave a void for patients that are sensitive to drugs and fail other therapeutic options. Cardialen is ready to take the next step to advance the therapy to help the millions of people impacted by AF.”

Cultivation Capital made the investment through its Cultivation Capital Life Sciences Fund, a fund introduced in 2013 that plans to invest some $30 million over the next five years.

Cardialen has also received funding from the Missouri Technology Corporation ($250,000); the St. Louis Arch Angels ($638,000); and a grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute ($216,027).